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She slowly walked around the space. The bakery’s interior was painted a sky blue, decorated with the surrounding mountains and wild streams in mind. Faint pink made appearances in the display case. A ghostly figure was stenciled on the load-bearing wall above the front counter, her mesmerizing blue eyes and pitch-black hair friendly instead of overpowering. Jupiter immediately knew who it was. The sketch was similar to the emblem she’d seen on the MC cuts and in Rubble’s tattoos.Macha.
“When can we start?” she asked.
Queenie beamed a smile. “I’m glad you like it. Yasmina will be back from Denver tomorrow, and she’s excited to meet you.” She hugged Jupiter. “I’m happy you’re here. Your mother would be proud of you for leaving that bastard.”
For the first time in years, Jupiter realized she hadn’t been thinking about Lyle. That simple fact encouraged her. She was doing the right thing. The attorney she hired in Dallas told her as much, but the man also received a significant chunk of cash to make her divorce as quick as possible. Eleven months in, she was losing faith on the fast guarantee. She just wanted to be done with Lyle and live her own life.
“I think she would’ve liked this bakery.” Jupiter traced the decal in the window with her eyes. “Heaven’s Treats suits it.”
“Trust me, you’ll have a line out the door.” Queenie looped an arm around Jupiter’s shoulders. “But don’t worry, you have a couple days to prep and dust off those recipes. One of the boys will be around in case you need help.”
Jupiter’s pulse quickened. “Which one?”
“Rubble.”
The thought of the large man in the small space should’ve scared her. Instead, it sent a warm flutter to her stomach.Stop it. You aren’t even divorced yet.
“Great. I’m sure he’ll be very, um, helpful.”
Queenie chuckled. “As helpful as a big guy like him can be. He means well, but he’s just so gruff. Sometimes, I wonder what his life would be if he hadn’t joined Macha.” She dug the keys out of her purse. “Come on, girl. We could use your expertise in the kitchen tonight. Reaper has gumbo on his mind, and I have no idea how to make it.”
After locking up the shop, they drove the ten minutes to the clubhouse. The parking lot to the tattoo and bar was bustling thanks to the tourists. Jupiter made a mental note to check both out before she was overwhelmed with the new bakery.
They hurried inside from the steadily falling snow, stomping their boots on the rug.
“You’re not supposed to bring the snow inside,” an accented voice teased.
Jupiter worked on sliding off her boots while Queenie scolded her old man, a smile on her lips. It was sweet how the two always seemed so in love even after years of being together.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen them fight.”
Looking up, Jupiter was face-to-face with a pair of eyes that bolted her feet to the floor. Goose bumps tickled her arms and she suddenly felt cold and warm all at once. Rubble. “How long have you known them?”
“Since I was seventeen.” He steadied her when she lost balance pulling off the last boot.
Jupiter froze at their contact. His strong yet gentle touch made her pulse quicken. For a long moment, she held her breath. He hadn’t pulled away yet and she suddenly didn’t want him to. Meeting his eyes, she felt her body tremble, but it wasn’t from fear.
Rubble’s gaze darted to her arm then he quickly let go. She wanted to explain, but she wasn’t even sure how.
“You’ve been in the MC that long?” she finally asked, trying to keep the conversation afloat.
He shook his head. “No, but just about. Reaper pulled me out of a dead end when I was almost eighteen. Been with them ever since. They’re the closest thing I have to parents.”
Jupiter instantly wanted to hear more. “What were you doing before? Where were your parents?”
Rubble’s gaze drifted from her eyes to her lips then back. “I guess we’ll be seeing quite a bit of each other soon.”
Disappointed he sidestepped her questions and dropped his gentle hold on her arm, Jupiter started toward the kitchen where the most noise was emitting. “Guess so. Hope you like being bossed around.”
“Not usually. I like to be the one in charge.”
The way he said that simple phrase in his deep voice made Jupiter pick up her pace. The man was causing new and dangerous sensations in her body. Her mind lingered over the memory of him touching her, and she swallowed hard when it didn’t scare her.
To her relief, they reached the kitchen, and Dolly linked her arm to pull her toward the giant pot on the stove.
“So, I asked Doc for some tips, but he doesn’t know how to make gumbo either. I heard you spent some time in Louisiana, so you may have a few tricks up your sleeve.”
Jupiter took the offered spoon and sipped the soup. She tried not to make a face but judging from the giggle from Dolly, she failed. “Needs more garlic to start.”
